Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer

Research Interests

Molecular biology techniques are widely used to understand the basis of human diseases. Cancer is a global burden with an increasing rate of incidence and mortality. Thus, it is critical to define the molecular mechanisms behind cancer formation, development, and metastasis to be able to prevent cancer related deaths.

Our main research topics are:

  • Investigation of molecular mechanisms that play a role in the formation and progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
  • Examination of novel drug candidates as anticancer agents against HCC and breast cancer
  • Investigation of molecular pathways that can be used in the diagnosis of HCC and breast cancer
  • Determination of microRNAs as biomarkers in chronic diseases

Group Leader

Dilek Cevik, Ph.D
Assistant Professor 
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  • Work Experience
  • Assistant Professor, 2023-Current
    Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bahçeşehir University, İstanbul/Turkey
  • Assistant Professor, 2017-2023
    Department of Medical Biology, Yüksek İhtisas University, Ankara/Turkey
  • Quality Control Manager, 2016-2017
    RTA Laboratories, İstanbul/Turkey
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, 2015-2016
    Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Sabancı University, İstanbul/Turkey
  • Research and Teaching Assistant, 2009-2014
    Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara/Turkey
  • Education
  • PhD Degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics, 2009-2014
    Bilkent University, Ankara/Turkey
  • BSc Degree in Biological Sciences, 2005-2009
    Middle East Technical University, Ankara/Turkey
  • Visiting PhD Student, 2011-2013
    L’Institut Albert-Bonniot, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble/France

Publications

Articles
  1. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., & Cevik, D. (2023). Identification of differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs associated with the regulation of breast cancer via in silico and in vitro methods. Cytotechnology, 75, 363–379 (2023)
  2. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., Cevik, D., & Yilmaz, A. (2022). Expression patterns of miR-34a, miR-125b, miR-221 and antioxidant gene NRF2 in plasma samples of patients with atherosclerosis. Journal of Biosciences, 47(1), 1–12.
  3. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., & Cevik, D. (2021). The Applications of Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) in Drug Development for Cancer Therapy. Current Analytical Chemistry, 17(8), 1074–1081.
  4. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., & Cevik, D. (2021). Identification of miR-17, miR-21, miR-27a, miR-106b and miR-222 as endoplasmic reticulum stress-related potential biomarkers in circulation of patients with atherosclerosis. Molecular Biology Reports, 48(4), 3503–3513.
  5. Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., Panieri, E., Cevik, D., Suzen, S., & Saso, L. (2021). Therapeutic targeting of the NRF2 signaling pathway in cancer. Molecules, 26(5), 1417.
  6. Panieri, E., Buha, A., Telkoparan-Akillilar, P., Cevik, D., Kouretas, D., Skaperda, Z., Tsatsakis, A., Wallace, D., & Suzen, S. (2020). Potential Applications of NRF2 Modulators in Cancer Therapy. Antioxidants, 9(193), 3.
  7. Cevik, D., Yildiz, G., & Ozturk, M. (2015). Common telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations in hepatocellular carcinomas from different geographical locations. World Journal of Gastroenterology: WJG, 21(1), 311.
  8. Ozen, C., Yildiz, G., Dagcan, A. T., Cevik, D., Ors, A., Keles, U., Topel, H., & Ozturk, M. (2013). Genetics and epigenetics of liver cancer. New Biotechnology, 30(4), 381–384.
Funding
TUBITAK35012022-2025
TUBITAK10012023-2026
TUBITAK35012020-2023

Positions

No positions available

Contact

  • dilek.cevik@bau.edu.tr